Mattel has revealed its first-ever autistic Barbie doll, and she comes with several tech items, including noise canceling headphones — in Barbie pink. Some autistic people use headphones to reduce sensory overload and block out background noise. This Barbie doll also includes a pink finger clip top that actually spins, serving as a sensory outlet to reduce stress and improve focus. She holds a pink tablet displaying symbol-based augmentative and alternative communication apps that help some autistic people communicate.
“Barbie has always strived to reflect the world children see and the possibilities they imagine, and we are proud to introduce our first autistic Barbie as part of this work in progress,” said Jamie Cygielman, global head of dolls at Mattel. “The doll, designed with guidance from the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, helps expand what inclusion looks like in the toy aisle and beyond, because every child deserves to see themselves in Barbie.”
The Autistic Self Advocacy Network is a nonprofit disability rights organization run by and for autistic people. Mattel and ASAN collaborated for over 18 months to develop the doll.
Doll design and fashions
In addition to the headphones, AAC tablet, and fidget spinner accessories, Mattel built the doll herself differently than previous Barbies. It features elbow and wrist articulation. In the press release, Mattel notes that this allows for “boosting, clapping, and other hand gestures that some members of the autistic community use to process sensory information or express enthusiasm.”
The first autistic Barbie doll joins Mattel’s Fashionistas line, which includes dolls with Down syndrome, type 1 diabetes and blindness, among other things.
MattelThe doll’s gaze is slightly shifted to the side, and Mattel notes that this reflects “the way some members of the autistic community may avoid direct eye contact.”
Fashion has always been an essential part of Barbie dolls. Autistic Barbie wears a loose, purple pinstripe A-line dress with short sleeves and a flowy skirt that provides less fabric-to-skin contact. Her purple shoes have flat soles, not Barbie’s typical high heels, to promote stability and ease of movement.
Autistic Barbie joins Mattel’s line of Fashionistas dolls. Other dolls in the line depict people with type 1 diabetes, Down syndrome and blindness. As part of the launch, Mattel is donating 1,000 autism Barbie dolls to pediatric hospitals across the country.
The doll is on sale now. We found it for $11 at Target online and Walmart and $11.87. at Amazon.
